Below, there are just two infographics from OCHA that highlight the extent of the disaster. While this is interesting to know, one of the major difficulties to understand the situation, the needs of responders and population is the amount and heterogeneity of information available. There are dozens of sites, maps, infographics. It is hard for us to get an overview, how much harder will it be for those working on the field.The information changes rapidly. The Hazards Data Distribution System enables us to get Satellite images showing the evolution of the meterologicla conditions, so does EC Copernicus Emergency Management Service. As the situation evolves, typically we tend to assume that we have a more clear understanding of the situation on the ground. But given the plethora of pieces of information from various sources that need to be interpreted, understood, evaluated and then shared with the right people, this is a challenge.One of the questions we would like to address is, which sources of information are actually used in the field. What are the requirements with respect to reliability, relevance, and trustworthiness? How can the information be made accessible and manageable to the responders on-site?

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Authors

Bartel Van de Walle has worked on the virtuous circle of sensemaking and decisions in crisis management. For the past 20 years he has worked on information systems for better crisis response in the field and as an associate professor at Tilburg University.

Tina Comes develops systems and tools to support decision makers dealing with complexity and uncertainty. Her work as Associate Professor in ICT at the University of Agder aims at bridging the gap between technology and users.

Together, we are working on improving disaster resilience, since the ability to prepare for, manage and learn from risks and crises has become a prerequisite for sustainable growth in an increasingly complex, uncertain and dynamically evolving world.